The Grants-in-Aid (GIA) Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has helped several communities by funding research and development projects initiated by academic institutions and different industries.

During the Visayas leg of the 5th National Research and Development Call Conference in Cebu City, DOST invited researchers, academic and industry representatives, and stakeholders in the region to submit proposals under the GIA project.

Grants-in-Aid program

The GIA program aims to improve productivity and the quality of life of Filipinos by creating and promoting appropriate technologies through the sponsorship of pertinent S&T endeavors.

It also aims to enhance the involvement of diverse S&T sectors, namely in the areas of research and development (R&D), promotion, technology transfer and exploitation, human resource development, advocacy, information dissemination, and connections.

GIA program supports S&T activities classified under the General Appropriations Act and offers funding for the implementation of projects and programs listed in the current DOST priorities and thrusts.

From 2023 to 2028, DOST has centered its course around four pivotal areas in the implementation of the GIA program: wealth creation, wealth protection, sustainability, and human well-being.

“Ang DOST nagbibigay ng pondo para sa mga state colleges and universities, educational institutions, and research institutions, upang gumawa ng research activities para masolusyonan ang mga kasalukuyang problema,” said DOST Usec. for Research and Development, Dr. Leah J. Buendia. 

(DOST provides funding for state colleges and universities, educational institutions, and research institutions to do research activities that will address current issues.)

“For the Visayas, dahil ito ay archipelagic marami sa mga research projects na pinondohan natin marine research projects, meron din for the food industry, ICT industry, nagpopondo din tayo ng mga researches on ICT, energy, and transportation,” added Buendia.

(Since the Visayas is an archipelagic area, most of the research projects we’ve funded are marine research projects, with some on food industry, ICT industry, energy, and transportation.)

GIA-funded projects in Visayas 

From 2016 to 2022, DOST has funded a total of 1,323 projects under the GIA program.

Of the total, 56 percent (P11.5 billion) was for research and development activities, 36 percent (P7.3 billion) for the provision of science and technology services, 5 percent (P900 million) for human resource development projects, and P600 million went to technology transfer projects.

One of the significant GIA-funded projects implemented in the Visayas is the study on valorization of carabao’s milk.

The project helped carabao dairy farmers and milk collection centers document current postharvest handling practices and provide nutritious and shelf-stable dairy products made from locally sourced carabao’s milk.

DOST also funded the Interconnected Poste Kits for Environmental Sensing (POSTE) project, particularly in the development of a modular kit that can be attached to lamp posts and electric poles for environmental sensing and risk warning.

Developed by the University of the Philippines Cebu, University of San Carlos, and Cebu Institute of Technology-University, the kit will measure flood depth, determine rainfall volume, and issue public warnings. 

POSTE helps the communities with the collection and spatial representation of rainfall and flooding data to inform disaster mitigation and management.

“Maraming naging impact ang GIA projects, halibawa (yung poste na project), bukod sa nagkakaroon ng ilaw ang mga komunidad, nagma monitor at kumukuha siya ng data na may kinalaman sa flooding, para malaman kung tumataas ba ang water level. Nagbibigay siya ng early warning sa mga beneficiaries nito,” said Buendia.

(Several GIA projects have made an impact in communities, such as the POSTE project. Aside from providing lighting in the communities, it helps monitor and collect data related to flooding to determine if the water level has risen. It serves as an early warning to the project beneficiaries.)

The GIA program has also prioritized funding for disaster mitigation projects, establishment of specialized health facilities including genomics centers focused on fisheries and aquatic resources, and laboratories dedicated to drug discovery.

The program also supported projects geared towards developing smart management systems for greenhouse lettuce production.

DOST has allotted P3 billion for the projects to be implemented under the 2024 Call for Proposals under the GIA program.

Concept proposals

Proposals for GIA projects will go through a rigid review as DOST will check if the proposals are technically sound, feasible, and will provide valuable impact to the communities and beneficiaries.

Proposals may be submitted between March 1 to 15, 2024 to the respective councils for their review. 

“Open pa ang submission; ang lahat ay naguumpisa sa isang maliit na idea; na ito ay pwede nating palaguin; na ito ay pwedeng maka impact sa ating mga communities; kaya para sa ating mga researchers, we are encouraging you to submit your research project proposals," Buendia said.

“We are still open for submissions. Everything starts with a small idea, which can be developed and improved to make it relevant and create an impact in communities.) 

Among the councils where researchers can submit their proposals are the National Research Council of the Philippines, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development, the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Research and Development, and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.

Those interested in submitting concept proposals may visit the DOST GIA Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/DOSTGIAProgram/. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)